《君主论·第十章·如何衡量君主国的实力》第1节
It is necessary to consider another point in examining the character of these principalities: that is, whether a prince has such power that, in case of need, he can support himself with his own resources, or whether he has always need of the assistance of others. And to make this quite clear I say that I consider those who are able to support themselves by their own resources who can, either by abundance of men or money, raise a sufficient army to join battle against any one who comes to attack them; and I consider those always to have need of others who cannot show themselves against the enemy in the field, but are forced to defend themselves by sheltering behind walls. The first case has been discussed, but we will speak of it again should it recur. In the second case one can say nothing except to encourage such princes to provision and fortify their towns, and not on any account to defend the country. And whoever shall fortify his town well, and shall have managed the other concerns of his subjects in the way stated above, and to be often repeated, will never be attacked without great caution, for men are always adverse to enterprises where difficulties can be seen, and it will be seen not to be an easy thing to attack one who has his town well fortified, and is not hated by his people.
注释摘要
马基雅维利在这里提出一种衡量君主国实力的新标尺，他不从领土大小或名号高低着眼，而是追问一个更直接的问题：一旦遭逢战事，君主是靠自己的力量站住脚，还是必须仰赖他人的援手。他把“依靠自己”界定得很具体，即君主能够以充裕的人力或金钱，拉出一支足够规模的军队，敢于与任何来犯之敌在疆场对阵。与之相反，“需要依赖他人”指的则是那些连野战的阵势都摆不出的君主，他们唯一的…